Phytoseiulus persimilis feeds until all the spider mites have been eradicated from a crop. Populations cannot become established after this because there evidently is no alternative food that will sustain them until their favoured spider mites reappear. Phytoseiulus persimilis has to be periodically reintroduced.

Species detail

The body is about 0.5 mm long and turns from translucent white to brown-orange as the mite ages. The front and back pair of legs are slender and longer than the body, the middle two slightly shorter.

Females becomes more widely rounded posteriorly as feeding and egg development progress

Distribution

The natural geographical range of Phytosieulus persimilis is the Mediterranean region, but its success at controlling spider mites has resulted in it being imported into many countries around the world

The life expectancy of Phytoseiulus persimilis differs according to a number of factors, including host plant identity, temperature and prey availability. Find out more about the life expectancy of this mite as well as size and weight information.